Carrozza Hosts 16th Annual Valentine's Day Drive for Vets

Former state Assemblywoman Ann-Margaret Carrozza is calling on borough residents to drop off gifts at her office that will be donated to Queens veterans on Valentine’s Day.

This year marks the 16th annual Valentines for Vets drive, a gift collection that Carrozza first held during her college days and continued when she was elected to the state Assembly in 1996.

“It would mean a great deal to our hospitalized and disabled heroes if you would choose to be their valentine by donating candy or cards with a message of appreciation,” she said.

This year, Carrozza is asking that participants drop off cards, candy, toiletries and new clothing, such as pajamas, robes, slippers and socks.

The drive’s deadline is Feb. 9. Each year, Carrozza and local high school students take the gifts collected in the drive and hand them out to veterans at the St. Albans Community Living Center of the VA New York Harbor Healthcare System and the New York State Veterans Home in St. Albans.

Gifts can be dropped off at Carrozza’s law offices, located at 213-38 40th Ave. in Bayside, or at state Assemblyman Edward Braunstein’s, D-Bayside, office at 213-33 39th Ave., Suite 238.

Robert Mittman’s Allergy and Asthma Family Care Center, located at 38-21 Bell Blvd., is also collecting gifts for the drive.

For more information, call Carrozza’s office at 718-224-4746 or Braunstein’s office at 718-357-3588.